S) "5 As he was relating to the king how he had restored to life the one who was dead, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and for her field. And Gehazi said, 'My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.' 6 When the king asked the woman, she related it to him. So the king appointed for her a certain officer, saying, 'Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now.'"
2 Kings 8:5-6 (NASB)
O) Years earlier, God's favor came upon this Shunammite woman when Elisha came prophesied that she'd have a son. When her son died as a child, she ran in faith to bring Elisha to her son, so that the LORD would resurrect him. Then, some time later, Elisha tells her there will be a famine for 7 years and she must sojourn anywhere. So she goes and comes back after the famine, and she wants to reclaim her land. After relaying her story to the king, he restores what belongs to her. This is the culmination of this lesson:
the LORD does not do favors, but rather, the LORD favors. As His children, His favor rests upon us. That is to say, it comes and stays upon us (see Luke 2:14). When He blesses, in faith we can lay claim to keep it. Whether we lose a child until they are resurrected (in this world or in the life to come), or if we lose our place in the land and everything we had until it is restored (in this world or in the life to come), the favor or the LORD is not momentary.
A) Now, the concept of "happily ever after" is certainly a myth. Accepting God's mercy through Jesus Christ, being reborn as a child of God, does not ensure an easy life for me. In fact, quite the opposite. As a son of The King, the enemy lays his sights. But none of that matters in the end, because I've already won! The favor of the LORD came to rest on me because of Jesus, my King, my Brother. So I persevere through every hardship, holding onto the hope that comes through faith in Him who favors me.
P) Father, Your lovingkindness is everlasting! You show favor to the undeserving and redemption to those who had profaned Your holy name! You drew me into Your presence, by the Holy Spirit, calling me out of death and despair, and into life and hope. Holy Spirit, let me feel Your presence constantly, so that even in times of stress or confusion, I have peace in knowing that I am still favored. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
the LORD does not do favors, but rather, the LORD favors. As His children, His favor rests upon us. That is to say, it comes and stays upon us (see Luke 2:14). When He blesses, in faith we can lay claim to keep it. Whether we lose a child until they are resurrected (in this world or in the life to come), or if we lose our place in the land and everything we had until it is restored (in this world or in the life to come), the favor or the LORD is not momentary.
A) Now, the concept of "happily ever after" is certainly a myth. Accepting God's mercy through Jesus Christ, being reborn as a child of God, does not ensure an easy life for me. In fact, quite the opposite. As a son of The King, the enemy lays his sights. But none of that matters in the end, because I've already won! The favor of the LORD came to rest on me because of Jesus, my King, my Brother. So I persevere through every hardship, holding onto the hope that comes through faith in Him who favors me.
P) Father, Your lovingkindness is everlasting! You show favor to the undeserving and redemption to those who had profaned Your holy name! You drew me into Your presence, by the Holy Spirit, calling me out of death and despair, and into life and hope. Holy Spirit, let me feel Your presence constantly, so that even in times of stress or confusion, I have peace in knowing that I am still favored. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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